Food Poisoning May Trigger Multiple Sclerosis

(Newser)
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Scientists still don't know what causes multiple sclerosis, but new research suggests that a particular strain of food poisoning may play a role, reports the BBC. The food bacterium in question is called Clostridium perfringens, which NBC News notes is responsible for millions of cases of foodborne illnesses per year, often through undercooked meat. A rare strain of it produces a toxin called epsilon, and the researches found that this toxin attacks the brain in the same way that MS does.

“To me, if you were going to design a trigger for this disease, this would really fit the mold really well,” says a researcher at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. He adds that it's far too early to conclude that the toxin causes MS, only that it appears to activate it. If further study backs up the finding, it could theoretically lead to a vaccine that prevents MS, says another of the Weill Cornell researchers quoted in Medical News Today. (Read more multiple sclerosis stories.)

If they knew what caused MS this disease would of been cured years ago. Too many clutch at straws . While pharmas and others make billions out of this disease via the MS drugs a cure will never ever be found its too easy to work out whats really going on with MS financially. Too many are covering their own backs on MS. Lots is easy to work out

Trkwp

Jan 31, 2014 5:37 AM CST

Multiple dogs in a household has also been suspected as a cause.

FarmerMichael

Jan 29, 2014 8:37 PM CST

Here comes another take on making any meat cooked for humans in the US something akin to a hockey puck. I mean what is in a hamburger these days? (I make my own, so I can still have them the way I like them. Age the meat...that's good for the omnivore digestive system and enhances the flavor by naturally increasing MSG.)